Method of making wheels



"GE-S1 PORTER. METHOD OF MAKING WHEELS. APPLICATI ON FILED H58- 24, I919.

1,366,834, Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OlFi 'IQE.

GEORGE'STANLEY PORTER, OF JkCKSON, MICHIGAN.

METHOD OF MAKING- WHEELS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 2a, 1919. Serial No. 278,614.

State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Methods of Making heels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved method of making wheels.

My improved method of making wheels is especially designed by me and adapted for use in the manufacture of vehicle wheels, although desirable for use in the manufacture of other types of wheels, pulleys and the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved method of making wheels by means of which combination wood and metal wheels may be rapidly and economically produced.

Second, to provide an improved method of making wheels which results in wheels of great strength and durability and of accurate and uniform size.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure l is a side view of a wheel manufactured according to my improved method before the hub is applied, a demountable rim being mounted thereon.

Fig. Ilis a detail section through the felly and rim on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. I

Fig. III is a the folly.

Fig. IV is a detail view showing the manner of upsetting and sizing and simul taneously welding the felly.

in the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in, the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In carrying out or practising my imdetail peripheral view of proved method of making wheels a set of wood spokes 1 tenoned at their outer ends and inwardly and complementarily tapered at 2 at their inner ends to form the arch of the wheel are provided.

The rim 8 is provided with sockets 4: adapted to receive the tenons of the spokes. The felly is channel-shaped in cross section and has a flange-like seat 5 at one side to receive the rim 6, the rim being retained by the lugs 7 and bolts 8. To permit the ready assembling of the spokes the rim is split at 9.

The spokes are arranged in this split or non-continuous rim. The assembled spokes and rim are then placed in an upsetting device shown in Fig. IV comprising a fixed platen 10 and a movable platen 11 carrying jaws 12. The means for actuating these jaws are not illustrated as they form no part of my invention, there being machines on the market which, with certain modifications, may be used for the purpose.

The upsetting clamping members 13 are segmental and hinged together at 14.- to embrace the felly member. The ends of these upsetting members are secured to the pla ens. With the spokes assembled in the split felly they are arranged in this upsetting device which is actuated to size the wheel and put the spokes under the desired compression or stress at the arch. Simultaneously the ends of the felly are welded, preferably by electric welding, the electrical connections not being illustrated. Various forms of welding may be used, such as butt welding, lap welding, bridge welding or the like, but butt welding is satisfactory and very effective in that the upsetting of the wheel is an assistance to the butt welding operation. However, the folly may be made continuous by any suitable permanent joint, the assembling of the spokes in the split or non-continuous rim, the upsetting to size and to secure the compression of the" wheel, and the securing the felly in this upsetting relation being the important feature.

Various apparatus for upsetting, other than those illustrated, might be effectively employed, but I have not attempted to illustrate the same as it is believed that those skilled in the art to which my invention relates will have no ditficulty in carrying out my improved process.

Having thus described my invention, what Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The method of making Wheels which consists in assembling a set of spokes in a non-continuous meta-l telly member, upsetting said felly member to compress the spokes and size of the Wheel, and simultsheously Welding the ends of said felly member. v V V 2. The method of making Wheels which consists in assembling a set of spokes in a non-continuous metal felly member, upset- GEORGE STANLEY PORTER. [L. 8.] Witnesses Ross HOLMES, O. E. BINGHABL 

